Turning a sheet of MDF into a handle-less door - Any ideas?

09-03-2019 09:55PM #1

Howdy do folks.

Want to build a large, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling entertainment unit in my sitting room. Effectively, it will be a new 'wall' in the room, full of storage on both sides, with a blank space in the centre to hang a TV (I'll be covering over a chimney breast, so the sides/alcoves will be storage, and centre will be for the TV, as it will cover the chimney breast, removing it's presence, without having to actually knock it out).

The long and short, is that it's effectively a kitchen I want to build.

I contacted 5 local kitchen crowds - 1 got back with a pie in the sky quote, and the other 4 have made no contact (this was weeks ago).

So I used to do a bit of work in the kitchen area myself, and said, feck it, i'll DIY it.

I'm gonna make it with 18mm MDF and then paint it. The carcasses/units are just a load of squares and rectangles.

My issues arises when it comes to doors. I want to do a handle-less door, but I'm not sure how to. I have no proper tools (I presume a router is the way to do the 'handle' profile properly) so I'm not sure what way to approach it.

Local place (Hoey's DIY) will supply me with the MDF, cut to size, but won't route anything (understandably).

So I'm just trying to think of what way to best approach it. I was thinking I could try to excessively sand down one side of the top of the door to put an 'angle' on it, but I reckon it'd look sh'te.

Because the kitchen companies are so busy, I doubt they'd even route it for me, either, so can't really do that.

Anyone given this a shot before by any chance?

FrancieBrady · 09-03-2019 10:00PM

Cut the top of the door at a 45 degree angle? Or at the bottom for upper cabinets. Some great tutorials/channels on youtube on this.

09-03-2019 10:03PM

Don't use mdf, use birch ply.

colm_c · 09-03-2019 10:06PM

Would you not just spec out an ikea kitchen?

They have all the doors etc.

I've thought about doing something similar myself.

Juwwi · 09-03-2019 10:08PM

I'd get a smaller kitchen company to route the doors and fit them ,,that will be the tricky bit .

listermint · 09-03-2019 10:10PM

Ply 18mm used that. Also use push pop fittings you won't need handles . They are pressed in and door poos out. Presto.

FrancieBrady · 09-03-2019 10:11PM

listermint wrote: »

Ply 18mm used that. Also use push pop fittings you won't need handles . They are pressed in and door poos out. Presto.

On to the good carpet? ewwww!

the_pen_turner · 09-03-2019 10:12PM

Are they inset or overlay doors.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 09-03-2019 10:19PM

What about a door that opens when you press on it? No need for handles really.

09-03-2019 10:37PM

listermint wrote: »

Ply 18mm used that. Also use push pop fittings you won't need handles . They are pressed in and door poos out. Presto.

Ahh.. forgot that even existed! Sounds like the way to go, alright.

For others, this is a picture of the room:

Because of the chimney breast, I can't really use an ikea kitchen, as the wall shape is too awkward for it. If I had a straight wall, i'd go down the route of the Ikea Besta stuff, but unfortunately it wouldn't work out for me with the breast in the room.

There'd be too much dead space and Ikea don't sell filler pieces, and joining the units around the breast would be a pain.

So I reckon getting a cutting list made up is the easier option. Doors mightn't be as hard as they're made out to be.

What's the craic with plywood being recommended though? Is MDF not generally the go-to for this kinda thing if you plan to paint it? (I'm not ruling out birch ply, by the way, i've never used it, so genuinely curious).

listermint · 09-03-2019 10:41PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Ahh.. forgot that even existed! Sounds like the way to go, alright.

For others, this is a picture of the room:

Because of the chimney breast, I can't really use an ikea kitchen, as the wall shape is too awkward for it. If I had a straight wall, i'd go down the route of the Ikea Besta stuff, but unfortunately it wouldn't work out for me with the breast in the room.

There'd be too much dead space and Ikea don't sell filler pieces, and joining the units around the breast would be a pain.

So I reckon getting a cutting list made up is the easier option. Doors mightn't be as hard as they're made out to be.

What's the craic with plywood being recommended though? Is MDF not generally the go-to for this kinda thing if you plan to paint it? (I'm not ruling out birch ply, by the way, i've never used it, so genuinely curious).

Weight to strength. And handier to finish timber.

Also joining IKEA cabinets in is a doddle. You can use ply or MDF for gaps and skirt the bottom and cove the top to give a blend in built look.

FrancieBrady · 09-03-2019 10:41PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Ahh.. forgot that even existed! Sounds like the way to go, alright.

For others, this is a picture of the room:

Because of the chimney breast, I can't really use an ikea kitchen, as the wall shape is too awkward for it. If I had a straight wall, i'd go down the route of the Ikea Besta stuff, but unfortunately it wouldn't work out for me with the breast in the room.

There'd be too much dead space and Ikea don't sell filler pieces, and joining the units around the breast would be a pain.

So I reckon getting a cutting list made up is the easier option. Doors mightn't be as hard as they're made out to be.

What's the craic with plywood being recommended though? Is MDF not generally the go-to for this kinda thing if you plan to paint it? (I'm not ruling out birch ply, by the way, i've never used it, so genuinely curious).

MDF can look crap if it is not pro finished.

09-03-2019 10:41PM

Mdf is dirt,swells up.
Screws pull out over time.
Edges look like **** even when painted.
Cuts like **** unless you have proper sharp panel saw etc etc
Ply is 3x the price but far superior and much easier to work with.

09-03-2019 10:46PM

listermint wrote: »

Weight to strength. And handier to finish timber.

Also joining IKEA cabinets in is a doddle. You can use ply or MDF for gaps and skirt the bottom and cove the top to give a blend in built look.

Yeah but do you not find that when you are finished filling in the gaps and what have you, that the MDF or Ply doesn't look quite the same as the Ikea unit? (ie, the colours might not match up right or such)?

listermint · 09-03-2019 10:47PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yeah but do you not find that when you are finished filling in the gaps and what have you, that the MDF or Ply doesn't look quite the same as the Ikea unit? (ie, the colours might not match up right or such)?

You paint the whole thing. Not just the new bits.

09-03-2019 10:48PM

BrownFinger wrote: »

Mdf is dirt,swells up.
Screws pull out over time.
Edges look like **** even when painted.
Cuts like **** unless you have proper sharp panel saw etc etc
Ply is 3x the price but far superior and much easier to work with.

Well the idea is to order everything pre-cut, so i'd only be painting and assembling. So cutting wouldn't be a concern, although painting would.

But I am confident I see painted MDF around the place a fair bit and it seems to hold up alright? Do screws really give issue, if you go with a decent thickness sheet (like 18mm for example)?

Also, in reference to swelling, i presume that's just if water gets to it?

Not being argumentative or anything, just really interested as I hadn't considered birch ply for this at all. MDF was my instinctive 'go-to' sheet material to use.

fritzelly · 09-03-2019 10:50PM

Any good with CAD software? Spec up what you want, print out the measurements and hand it over to Woodworkers (in Dublin?)
Did it myself with a built in wardrobe good few moons ago - was literally just a case of screwing it together (and the wardrobe is still doing grand - so many sections for shoes!!!)
For something that bespoke and if you are capable on the DIY front you would probably end up with something more desirable than anything from the likes of Ikea or a kitchen company

09-03-2019 10:50PM

listermint wrote: »

You paint the whole thing. Not just the new bits.

But isn't ikea stuff melamine faced stuff? Would the paint not just peel off it?

09-03-2019 10:51PM

fritzelly wrote: »

Any good with CAD software? Spec up what you want, print out the measurements and hand it over to Woodworkers (in Dublin?)
Did it myself with a built in wardrobe good few moons ago - was literally just a case of screwing it together (and the wardrobe is still doing grand - so many sections for shoes!!!)
For something that bespoke and if you are capable on the DIY front you would probably end up with something more desirable than anything from the likes of Ikea or a kitchen company

I've no CAD software, but if i draw it out, measure it and make a cutting list, a Hoey's DIY in Castlebellingham (closer to me than anything in Dublin) will cut and deliver it for me.

So the same thing, really.

09-03-2019 10:53PM

Sure go with the mdf and report back.

mickdw · 09-03-2019 10:54PM

Would you not order the doors finished. Save an awful lot of messing.
If you went with no handles or recesses, would you go for a push to latch, push to release mechanism.

fritzelly · 09-03-2019 10:55PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I've no CAD software, but if i draw it out, measure it and make a cutting list, a Hoey's DIY in Castlebellingham (closer to me than anything in Dublin) will cut and deliver it for me.

So the same thing, really.

CAD software will let you play around easily, some free programs and others with trials. At least it will work out the cutting measurements for you. Cannot remember the one I used. Did a similar thing like you did but it was only a small entertainment unit one side of the the chimney breast and worked it out on paper, needed a few "adjustments" when I got the wood. Yours is a bigger project tho.

FrancieBrady · 09-03-2019 11:00PM

Learnt a lot from this guy's channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/petermillard1/videos

He has a few vids on paint and finishing MDF.

colm_mcm · 11-03-2019 11:36AM

Buy Ikea units and cut the carcasses down. MDF won’t stay straight.

11-03-2019 12:34PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Buy Ikea units and cut the carcasses down. MDF won’t stay straight.

This is the best idea,
But he say he has no tools so could turn into a dogs dinner fast!

FrancieBrady · 11-03-2019 12:35PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Buy Ikea units and cut the carcasses down. MDF won’t stay straight.

What are IKEA carcasses made of? Ply?

11-03-2019 12:36PM

FrancieBrady wrote: »

What are IKEA carcasses made of? Ply?

cardboard

colm_mcm · 11-03-2019 12:50PM

FrancieBrady wrote: »

What are IKEA carcasses made of? Ply?

Chipboard, but they’re pre drilled for hinges etc so won’t be an issue.
I did a similar job myself.

What I mean about not staying straight is the doors. Better to buy premade doors than use MDF.

listermint · 11-03-2019 02:45PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Buy Ikea units and cut the carcasses down. MDF won’t stay straight.

MDF wont stay straight if its been put together badly or incorrect amount or type of hinges are used.

Also door weight, if someone uses 18mm for doors then they are off to a bad start.

Graham · 11-03-2019 03:34PM

listermint wrote: »

Also door weight, if someone uses 18mm for doors then they are off to a bad start.

ok, curiosity is killing me. Why?

listermint · 11-03-2019 03:37PM

Graham wrote: »

ok, curiosity is killing me. Why?

Weight of the door. Versus say Plywood the weight of MDF door for the same size and depth would be much heavier meaning more prone to failing.

MDF doors ideally would be created of 12mm, with perhaps a 12mm frame on front. So you end up with same strength but without the weight.

Weight is your biggest enemy on a door.

Turning a sheet of MDF into a handle-less door - Any ideas?

Comments